New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-04
ADvANTAGEsOF PROTECTION
COLONEL A. L. CONCEPTS OBSERVATIONS
ENGLISH MANUFACTURERS liRED OF FREE TRADE :

ENGLISH MANUFACTURERS TIRED OF FREE TRADs-
CONDITION OF LAB0mERs ABROAD
Colonel A. L. Conger, member of the Repablicsn
National Committee for Ohio has just returned from
two months trip in Europe for his health. BE be-
been chairman of tho Ohio Republican Committee,
Commander OF the Ohio Department, G. A. r. and u
Of the who is counted among the future Cub
srnator'sl possibilities OF is State In which ne y
man & Barnes Manufacturing Company. which makes
mower and reaper knives and sckles and has factories
In five or six States, besides at st. Cash ripes,
Canada. Colonel C0nger made some observ atoms IN
Europe TO which be gave expression in an interview ~
follows:
ANY observations abroad have intensified and
greatly strengthened nv views in favor Of strong
protective tariff for this country - broad principle
Of sound governmental policy upon which the govern.
should he in rider to derive the greatest good
for the greatest number. am satisfied from what l
that have no need OF going into Tree trade 70
sustain our position among the nations OF the world
hold ii we still maintain our tariff. and "onld not
better ourselves by throwing II over. Ihe necessary
tor reduction OF the revenue can pest De met ~
ing tariff in certain directions that will be prohiDltiVo
ana thus cut of the revenue found on investgation
that Enela is to-day paying higher wages tbsn
longer holds her ruling POSITION in trade and manuac
nire. Germany has become her competitor already ana
the manufacturers OF Germany can compete with the
manufacturers OF England in nearly every line ana
branch of business. The English people are feeling
this difference keeny. 1t has resulted in strong SEN
time growing up among English manufacturers. who
told me that England must speedi adopt protectve
tarih policy in sbeer sepreservaton.
think from what and heard tina. 1t is safe to
predict that England will adopt such policv because
otherwise she will be obliged to reduce the wages Of
her workers to the basis OF wages In GERMANY which
would be disastrous to Great Britain in the further
impoyerish, Int of her labOrers whose condition IL
already very low The fact cannot be discussed thae
free trade for America that the wages here must
at once he reduced and put upon he ieve' OF counes
with which might seek to compete under lice uade
Under present system are fast building up In
every branch OF MANUFACTURES by reason OF the M;
proved quality OF labor and the better class OF goos
which we are enabled through intelligent workmen to
produce. Our frstclass, welpaid labor can overcome
the ipad, impo yersnei and ignorant workmen ID all
the markets OF the world and we have only to mann
tain position to dictate instead OF being dictated TO-
" The important factor that we require IN order
to take commanding position IL American lines OF
steamships to al parts OF the world. Our Governments
could better Investment of its surplus revenue
at the Dresen time than to devote large portion OF ~
to the building up of American steamship lines either
by subsidies BY tho extension OF direct All TO all
capital that will attempt TO carry ont this project we
can build ships i'll America well as they can abroad,
but require first OF all starter-that Is, the en-
couragement and assistance of the people through the
Government We have the ore and the timber ana tho
skilled workmen, and we have demonstrated our
ability build ships fine any that built on The
banks OF the CLYDE The point made by Free Traders
ganst the encouragement OF American shlpbuiding
that tLey can buy ships cheaper abroad inat taxes
US back to the question OF wages We hold to-day
gIeat advantage the other nations OF the worn
by the high wages that we pay our workngmrn IL
we adopt free trade policy az to shps we shoua rose
that advantage but if the Government comes to the
ana gives the shpbuldng industry start tue
shipping question: will take OF Itself just as it
has done in other lines of manufacture that have been
promoted and encouraged by protective tariff"
Colonel Conger was asked about the section steei
tariff in which his company was maGn % SS oas
or five Years we had large dealings with firms ID
Sheffield, England. They were able to lay down seq
ton steel in this country cheaper than 1t can be made
here but the tariff put up and now we buy an our
steel at Pittsburg just before General GARFIELD was
elected President he was In our place and went
through oar works, where he made many inquiries
about matters Affecting the tariff question was IN
the White House time after his Inauguration and
he told me that he asoertained that this section steel
tariff gave employment. IN this country to 5000 men
when formerly the work had been done by as many
men in England. l found the manufacturers III
Sheffield with whom We formerly dealt TO be among
the earnest advocates of aprotective tariff tor Great
Britain on account of the Gerpan competition or
which have spoken made some inquiries as TO the
wages. AZ example, the difference between wnat
tbey paw their engineer and what We pay ours u a
Good illustration Their engineer is required to do his
stocking and gets 81 20 day. which Is very higa
wages. We pay our engineer aOut 81 ZOO year md
give him fireman ami sometimes two. not'ced tne
houses OF the workingmen in Sheffield and inquired
about them They owned by the proprietors VI the
sbops and factories and are rented to the men. Dur
workingmrn. whether in New-fork or Massachusetts,
or Ohio, nearly all own their own houses and nave
their organs and pianos and nice furniture anu PIC
lures none of which TO be found in any working
mans home that saw in England go :,
=" You must also have observed the difference in hv'
ing
Throughout France and Italy discovered that the
laboring man lived PRINCIPALLY on bread They have
no meat no butter. cofce or tea. little watered
zine is their only beverage. That is what American
workngmen would come tn under tree trade. They
have literally no chance OF advancement. Here they
have good living and good wages tree schools and OPP
portunities to rise in the world. Over there 1t IL
niere struggle tor lite Such advantages as ours would
be foolish and suicidal Americans to throw away.
Instead of loo king back to find precedeuts should
make presidents for the luture In other words while
pro,ng By the experience OF the past Se should lead
and not follow"